Created by a Vancouver born humanitarian named Ray Barnett, the organization known as Music for Life has been helping underprivileged African kids by providing education and child sponsorship programs to those less fortunate people on that continent for about 30 years.

To help raise awareness and funds for that incredible organization, the African Children's Choir will be making a stop in Clive next week, to entertain and spread their message regarding the need of destitute children in Africa and raise funds to continue supporting important education programs like this.

The Choir, made up of kids between the ages of 8-11, travel around the world putting on performances, with the goal being to raise awareness about their personal plight, but also to empower and help those kids make a positive impact on their lives and society.

Tour leader for the Choir Janelle Hoekstra says the impact the tour has on the kids involved is immediate and profound.

“The thing that people take away from the concert is just the joy that the children exude in their concerts. They have such excitement, they sign with such energy, they dance, they drum. That’s often people’s most favourite part. It’s just impossible to come away from the concert without a smile on your face.”

Hoekstra says the kids involved in the choir are picked because they are in the most desperate need.

“They (Music for Life) go to areas and they talk to local contacts and they ask for names of children and families who are having trouble providing, where education is not a consistent option due to having to put food needs and shelters, and those type of needs before school.”

Music for Life also provides these kids will full rides in school back in Uganda, all the way through to University.

The choir will be at the Clive Baptist Church next Wednesday, April 17th at 6:30 pm.

Admission is free, but a donation is encouraged.